Los Angeles Dodgers: Why its better to be patient with Clayton Kershaw
By Jason Reed
1. The team has a capable replacement in Walker Buehler
There have been some years where it looked very bleak for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Just look at 2016. The team had no real second arm on the roster and when Kershaw went out it was up to rookie Kenta Maeda to take over the load and throw the most innings in the season.
The Dodgers survived that (and survived setting the record for players placed on the DL in one season) and are in a much better position to survive this, and it starts at the top with Walker Buehler.
Buehler is ready to make the transition from young hard-throwing arm to a bonafide ace in the league and already put together elite numbers last season. His second-half was even more impressive as Buehler posted a 2.03 ERA in 13 starts after the All-Star Break.
Buehler is one of the best young arms in the big leagues and if he has to take the ball on Opening Day and lead the staff for now then so be it. He has already pitched a gem in the World Series, there really is not much left to faze Buehler at this point.
Even though the Dodgers have a deep enough staff to run a full rotation without Kershaw, it is nice knowing that the team can replace its ace with another ace-caliber arm.